This article was originally published here on the website for A Life Overseas on March 1, 2017. Published by Amy Medina .
“All missionaries need someone in their lives who ask about their marriage, their emotional state, the needs of their kids and their walk with God.”
When we’re on furlough and giving presentations about our ministry as missionaries, we always end with, “Does anyone have any questions?”
A hand goes up. And the question is inevitable.
“How can we pray for you?” Every. Single. Time.
Sometimes someone will ask to know more about our ministry. Or a person we are investing in. Or maybe, “What has God been teaching you?”
The questions, almost always, are spiritual.
This is not a bad thing. Of course, we’re thrilled people want to pray for us. We are excited if they are excited about our ministry. But do you know what we long to be asked?
The non-spiritual questions.
Sure, our ministry is extremely important to us. But that’s only part of the picture of our lives overseas. We moved to the other side of the world. We landed in a country that most people only see on the news. We had to learn new ways of shopping, cooking, eating, sleeping, educating, traveling, parenting, and talking. It was not easy. In fact, it was the hardest thing we’ve ever done.
We are different people now. And it is bursting out of us. We might look the same on the outside, but we are totally different on the inside. And you know what? We long to talk about it with you. We desperately want you to be interested in all of our other life, not just the spiritual parts.
